Penelope Cruz Linked For The Second-Time As Bond Girl In Sam Mendes' BOND 24

French magazine Premiere (via ThePlaylist) has caught-wind of an updated casting list of Bond 24 from Sony, apparently the new addition is Spanish actress Penelope Cruz. She had been rumored to be in the mix back in June and it's quite possible she's landed one of the two new female roles in the film. The second, according TheWrap is a Scandinavian woman with a troubled past. Craig recently dropped out of a indie film, which could mean Sam Mendes is ready to begin production on the 24th installment. Her husband Javier Bardem played the baddie in Skyfall, which might have played a part in her being approached for the role.

TheWrap also linked Chiwetel Ejiofor as in the mix for the villain role, which could make this one of more interesting Bond casts ever. The returning cast includes Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw. Production is expected to begin soon, with the release date set for fall (October in the UK and November in the US) of 2015

SOURCE: PREMIERE

FIRST LOOK: Our Favorite Jeep Returns To JURASSIC WORLD, Plus A New Armored One

Someone from Universal Pictures has been posting images of vehicles from Jurassic World on Instagram. The pictures were picked-up by fansite JurassicWorldUniverse. We see what must be an abandoned Jeep (29 was actually used on screen as one of Hammond's vehicles) from the first film. The new park is said to be set on the original island, which hasn't been seen since the first film. The second image shows us a more modern armored vehicle that will the park will be using. Apparently, both are heading to location shooting in Hawaii.

Did Disney Kill A DARTH MAUL Game Because Of The New STAR WARS Films?

Apparently, Lucas Arts had been secretly working on a Darth Maul video game at Red Fly Studios, titled Battle of The Sith Lords. Along with revealing the game, GameInformer posted a treasure-trove of artwork from the canceled game. It looked impressive enough and could have been a massive success, and was said to be an open world type game (not unlikely 1313). So why would Disney pull the plug on it?

It's revealed that Red Fly Studios had free reign over the project and were never given a script, that was until the Lucasfilm/Disney merger. It's rumored that because Disney works with EA Games that the project was shelved. There could be other motives behind this as well.



My own speculation is that Lucasfilm and Disney might have movie plans for the character and didn't want Maul's origins or story dictated by an unaffiliated video game company. This isn't the first time Disney has killed a Star Wars video game. That had connections to upcoming movie developments.

The theory stems from the Star Wars game 1313, around the same time it was announced Disney had indeed bought the Star Wars rights and Lucasfilm, the game was suddenly canceled. This was a bit shocking, but Disney could do whatever they liked. It was later revealed the rumors had been true and 1313 was in fact a Boba Fett game. We've been hearing since 2011 that Captain America: The First Avenger director Joe Johnston (who helped co-create Fett) had been pitching George Lucas a Boba film, and possibility even had an outline for project back then.

Soon, after the announcement Star Wars: Episode VII was happening, talk of even more movies started hitting the trades and blogs. They included a prequels for Yoda, Han Solo, Boba Fett and even an interesting Seven Samurai inspired jedi film pitch from Zack Snyder. Eventually there was word from that Lawrence Kasdan (Fett's other co-creator), had been tasked to write the script for the Boba Fett film. Kasdan and Simon Kinberg had been hired by Lucasfilm to pen spin-offs for the studio, that relationship led to Larry being hired to rewrite the script for Episode VII.

At this point we have no clue if there is a Darth Maul movie being developed at Lucasfilm, but we do know that the character is still alive via The Cone Wars. And this game was going to include his robotic body and his apprentice/brother Savage, the group Death Watch and would take place during the rule of the Empire, so post-Episode III. The game also suggests Maul and other Sith lords were at odds with the Empire and didn't abide by the "rule-of-two". Nothing says Maul will be in the new films, but it's very possible he could be apart of the spin-offs.

Lucasfilm went out of their way to first resurrect Maul, and then keep him alive at the end of the series.
Out of all the prequel characters, Maul was the most interesting and the animated series supported that. One piece of art confirmed this game was to take place during the rule of the Empire, with an officer that looks very similar to actor Ralph Fiennes.

Below is the stellar concept artwork from the game via GameInformer. It the artwork also includes many different sith bosses that Maul would have had to fight. There is also footage from the game floating online as well.

SINISTER SIX And VENOM Happening Before SPIDER-MAN 4, Is One Coming In 2018?

It looks like the Spider-Man spin-offs are now high priority at Sony, only with Spider-Man 3. How important are they? Well Sony's Matt Tolmach told DenOfGeek they are putting Amazing Spider-Man 4 on hold, until they figure out what they are doing with Amazing Spider-Man 3, Venom and The Sinister Six. Focusing their energies on making the two spin-offs before the fourth installment.

"Before we know what we do with Spider-Man 4, we're going to do Sinister Six, Venom and Spider-Man 3. There is going to be a lot of crossover in those movies. So we're just not at Spider-Man 4, because we still have a whole other Spider-Man movie and two other movies. So we don't know yet what [Spider-Man 4] is going to be" 

The third movie is still set for release in June 2016, but Venom and Sinister Six are happening before the fourth movie. Given that that spot is highly valued at Sony, either three could take the May 2018 spot. Bumping-up the spin-offs to 2016 and 2017, before Amazing Spider-Man 3 in 2018 could make for an interesting third film. As it stands Drew Goddard (Daredevil, World War Z, Cabin In The Woods) is writing and directing The Sinister Six, while Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek 1-2, Lost, Transformers) will be writing and directing Venom. Marc Webb is expected to direct Spider-Man 3, but has not committed to making the fourth film.

SOURCE: DENOFGEEK

Talk Of A MYSTIQUE Movie Returns, This Time With Jennifer Lawrence As Lead

Most people don't remember this, but around the time of the production for X-Men Origins: The Wolverine there was talk of more spin-offs. Characters like Magneto and Mystique were posed to get their own origin films as well. David S. Goyer was hired to write and possibly direct a Magento film, that wasn't to be. The elements of that film were used in Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class, possibly a similar fate for Mystique's origin as well.

The Mystique film hadn't been fully realized by the studio at the time, but Rebecca Romijn was still attached for the role. Later on, the studio developed First Class and Jennifer Lawrence was cast as a young Raven. This might have been the best thing for the character, as we got to see her develop as a fully functioning female lead. We've seen Mystique go from villain side-kick, to become the largest standout female character currently in the franchise. Standing alongside Magneto and Xavier in First Class, and now with Wolverine in Days of Future Past.

A third Wolverine (March 3rd, 2017) spin-off is in the works and producer Lauren Shuler Donner has previously mentioned a desire to pursue Deadpool and Gambit solo films. While speaking with EW she does briefly hint to the potential of developing a Mystique film again.

“There was a regime [at the studio] that didn’t see the worth in [spin-offs], and the current people who run Fox understand, embrace it, and we’re going to do right by it,” says producer Lauren Shuler Donner, who’s produced all of the X-Men films. “I’d like to do Gambit. I’d like to do Deadpool. We’ll see. There’s a lot of really great characters.”

With shapeshifter Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) taking a pivotal role in Past‘s plot, Donner says she’d be interested in taking that character into a solo film.

Producer and screenwriter Simon Kinberg, who is currently building the new X-Men universe with Bryan Singer also sees the value of a Mystique movie.

“I love what Jen Lawrence has done with her, and I feel like because she is in such a crowded ensemble, there’s so much more opportunity if you were to follow her solo.”

This makes a lot of sense, as Oscar winning actress Jennifer Lawrence is already the face of a massively successful billion dollar franchise, with Hunger Games (earning $1.5 billion in just two installments and two more on the way). While none of the X-Men films have been able to break $500 million worldwide, both of Lawrence's films have (Games earning $691M and Catching Fire raking-in $864M). She has the talent, following and box office numbers to support her own comic book franchise.

Jennifer is also expected to return for a role in X-Men: Apocalypse, which is could begin production sometime in 2015. Fox has also announced a release date for an untitled Fox/Marvel film in 2018. A lot of people suspect this could be X-Men/Fantastic Four Crossover, Gambit, Deadpool, X-Force or even Silver Surfer, but it's now possible that it might end-up Mystique as well.

SOURCE: EW

Unknown Actress Linked For STAR WARS Role And Another Road-Trip To Tatoonie

THR says Oxford acting student Maisie Richardson-Sellers could be in the mix for role in Star Wars: Episode VII. The young Oxford actress is mostly known for school theatre work. This wouldn't be too shocking as Lucasfilm have been looking at every actor and actress for roles. It's said the role is a long descendent of Obi Wan Kenobi, who would interact with the Skywalker and Solo kids. I have to side with THR with this character info, as they've been able to confirm a lot the Star Wars scoops from other sites.

"One of the roles yet to be filled is that of a young black or mixed-race woman who may be a descendent of Jedi Knight Ben Kenobi."


Another bit of news from THR, is that the seventh film will head back to the dangerous desert planet of Tatooine. It might be the home planet of Luke Skywalker, but we've seen it five times previously. A majority of Phantom Menace and A New Hope taking place on Tatooine. I understand what Abrams is thinking by connecting the new era of Star Wars to the planet. However, it doesn't seem like an original way to push forward a new wave of Star Wars films. As the previous films have spend plenty of time using it as a setting, a bit uninteresting if you ask me.

I would have hoped the film would explore different planets if we're forced to deal with old characters.
Bringing back the original cast is understandable, but there have been rumors their roles could be larger than expected. I'm not sure how J.J. Abrams could manage to make 60-70 year old actors convincing action leads in a kids movie. When the new trilogy is expected to showcase a new generation of jedi. Not even factoring-in neither Mark Hamill or Carrie Fisher being major on-screen leads since the early 80s.

I'm not the only one who feels this way, THR also wrote an article, titled "Could 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Be Too Enamoured With The Original Films". The piece focuses on the lack of original steps the production is currently making. Keeping a lot of the same creative people from the original trilogy. While not pushing forward with new and fresh ideas.

We've been hearing from multiple sources that there is major in-fighting between Abrams and Lucasfilm. Leading to script rewrites and basically a massive overhaul of the director of the film just months before it's production. It's possible that George Lucas is still trying to the calling the shots. Whether that's through Kathy Kennedy or J.J. Abrams is unknown.

SOURCE: THR

RUMOR: KICK-ASS 2 Director Jeff Wadlow Front-Runner For Sony's MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Reboot?

SchmoesKnow have been apparently keeping an eye on the race to direct The Masters of The Universe reboot. This reboot was setup at Warner Bros., but after development stalled it was moved over to Sony Pictures. The original director Jon M. Chu, left to focus on making The Jem movie and G.I. Joe 3. The names previously mentioned included Robot Chicken's Chris McKay, who was recently hired to make the sequel to The Lego Movie.

They now claim that candidate Jeff Wadlow has already signed-on to direct. Wadlow is best known for writing and directing Kick-Ass 2, and was tasked by Fox to write the X-Men spin-off X-Force. I'm a bit hesitant to believe this is the real deal. Schmoes' source has been giving them a lot of scoops, but the results haven't been there quite yet. Consider this news is a rumor. If true, this could mean Wadlow won't be directing X-Force anytime soon, or Fox might look at another director.

SOURCE: SCHMOESKNOW

Universal's TIMECOP Remake Finds Screenwriters

THR reports that Battlstar Galactica isn't the only big sci-fi project reboot that Universal is working on. The studio has hired writers Mark and Brian Gunn to pen a script for the remake of the Jean-Claude Van Damme flick Timecop. The original movie followed a time-travelling police department that stopped criminals from messing around with the timelines. It was an interesting concept, but ultimately turned into cliche action film in the third act.



SOURCE: THR

Drew Goddard Will Also Direct THE SINISTER SIX For Sony

THR is reporting that Drew Goddard is about to make a deal to direct Sony's Spider-Man spin-off Sinister Six. He previously was tapped to write the script with the intention to direct. Goddard is mostly known for his screenwriting credits for Cloverfield, Lost, Alias and World War Z. A production start or release date haven't been announced for the spin-off. Sony is also moving forward with a Venom movie.

He also worked with Joss Whedon on his shows Buffy and Angel. That relationship led to working together on the horror comedy Cabin In The Woods, which they co-wrote and Drew directed. Goddard was recently announced as the showrunner and writer for Marvel Studios' Daredevil series which will air on Netflix. The Daredevil series is expected to begin production this summer in New York City. Drew was expected to direct the pilot.

SOURCE: THR

TRANSCENDENCE & PROMETHEUS 2 Writer Jack Paglen Hired To Pen BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Movie

Variety reports that Universal Pictures is still trying to put together a new feature film based on Battlestar Galactica. For the longest time Bryan Singer (Usual Suspect, X-Men Days of Future Past) was trying to make the project. There is a new update, as Jack Paglen (Transcendence, Prometheus 2) has been hired to writer the script. The new film is said not to be connected to recent SyFy series.

SOURCE: VARIETY

SPOILERS: Why Is Marvel Studios Teasing Namor In Their Movies?

This isn't much of a spoiler, but an aspect of Namor is teased in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. We've been slowly seeing similar  tidbits used as Easter Eggs in other Marvel films. Marvel doesn't own the film rights, so what's the deal?

Oracle is a real company and has been a tie-in product placement for films. However, they've really only been Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Avengers and Iron Man 3. Most notably a giant glass dome Oracle building at Star Expo. Oddly enough, it could be more than just way for Marvel to add revenue by advertising the tech-company. 

As his human alter-ego Namor Mckenzie runs a corporation named Oracle, which secretly helps envirvomental causes. We've seen a bunch of fictional Marvel corporations teases already, mainly Roxxon which has shown up a bunch of times in Iron Man films (along with Coulson's One-Shot). It's possible that humans along with energy companies like Roxxon are destroying the the oceans, where Namor and his people call home. This could spark a bit of tension between the Atlantians and the humans.

Pulling from the headlines BP oil spills/oil sands pipeline and Fukushima Nuclear Plant still leaking radiation into the ocean, could help influence Namor's motives and place him as a threat. Plus, using the fictional Roxxon might be way not name actual companies. We've already seen how the drone program and NSA scandals have made their way into the narrative of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Having an environmental angle to Namor wouldn't be out of place for the character.

Another shot in Iron Man 2 was indeed hinting to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, with SHIELD's meta-human map. Let's just hope that Hydra has been there first.

Surprisingly, theres another hint to Namor but not in a film featuring Iron Man. The name of the SHIELD boat The Lemurian Star in Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a direct hint to a group of Namor's villains.

The Lemurians are similar group of underwater dwellers (different from the blue skinned Atlantians, having scales and greenish skin) that are part of another neighboring kingdom. There are mostly at odds with Atlantis and Namor. It's not shocking that a ship aligned with Hydra, would have links to other Marvel villains.

So why is Marvel teasing him? As it stands now Universal Pictures holds the film rights to Namor The Sub-Mariner. They have been trying to develop a feature for years and even had an early script from David Self (The Haunting, Road To Perdition, Bourne Identity, The Wolfman). Self also tried putting together scripts for Captain America, Deathlok, God of War, and the Robocop remake. Then the studio looked to Jonathan Mostow (The Game, U-571, Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines, Surrogates) to write and direct the project, which never came together. I assume because of critically backlash for T3 and Surrogates. 

Former British Olympic diver turned action-star Jason Statham (Transporter, Expendables, Fast And Furious 7, Snatch, Lock Stock) mentioned a meeting for The Sub-Mariner, in 2008. I'd still love to see Jason in the role, since he's surprising good depending on the material and direction. Fans of Guardians of The Galaxy were a bit shocked when Bradley Cooper (not Statham) took the Rocket Raccoon role. It's currently unknown the status of Namor at Universal. While it seems odd, with such a rise in interest for Marvel films Universal hasn't even hinted to making it.

“I took a meeting for Sub-Mariner. I don’t know if I’d look right running around in a tight speedo with wings on my ankles but there’s so many cool fucking characters.”

The weird thing is, that Marvel hasn't teased other properties they don't own such as X-Men, Spider-Man or Fantastic Four. It's possible that Universal could be developing a co-production similar to The Incredible Hulk, or that Marvel has seemingly found a way to get the rights back (but aren't willing to announced it). However, keeping the film at Universal could allow the studio to make a joint-venture without having to pay the entire production budget. Disney on the other hand, I'm sure would be willing to buy the rights back. As of August 2013, Kevin Feige confirmed the rights are indeed still at Universal. Even though earlier Joe Quesada said otherwise.

It's possible that Namor could have ties to The Inhumans (another in-development film at Marvel) or become the antagonist (starting out as villain to the Avengers before joining them) in almost any future Marvel film. Hopefully, Marvel is able to wrangle the rights back and place him properly. Namor also fought alongside Captain America and Bucky in the super-team the Invaders during WWII. Prince Namor also joined forces with The Hulk and Doctor Strange to form The Defenders, which with different lineup (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage) will have a mini-series on Netflix.

Peter Mayhew To Reprise Chewbacca In STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

Disney's Alan Horn recently confirmed shooting on Star Wars: Episode VII is underway, with a majority of the cast set. A new report from THR suggests that we'll be getting our favorite walking fur-ball back as well! Actor Peter Mayhew who recent underwent double-knee replacement surgery will indeed reprise the role of Chewbacca in the new film.

While it's been assumed that Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher will have supporting roles. An official announcement hasn't been made. The only returning character besides Chewie that has been confirmed is R2-D2. Adam Driver is reportedly set as the new villain.


SOURCE: THR

Korvac Teased In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Hinting To Cosmic Wars?

We're under the impression that Marvel villain The Collector (played Benicio Del Toro) will be in the service of Thanos in Guardians of The Galaxy, when that is going to be revealed in the film is unknown. The Collector might not be only character in the Thor: The Dark World end-credits scene that is forbidding a giant cosmic threat (aside from Adam Warlock).

We see British actress Ophelia Lovibond playing a pink-skinned alien, who is the assistant to The Collector. Lovibond's character in Guardians is revealed to be Carina in Guardians of the Galaxy Prequel Infinite Comic #1. The comic book is a direct tie-in with the film and seemingly confirms she'll be playing the character Carina. In the comics, Carina is the Collector's daughter, but their relationship might not end-up father and daughter. It does raise the question, "does her inclusion mean Michael Korvac is coming?". Her father sends Carina to spy on Korvac to figure out if he's a threat or not, the two develop a relationship and she chooses Korvac over helping the Avengers.

Carina and Korvac become lovers, which doesn't turn out well for the universe. As the pair become the most powerful Marvel cosmic villains ever to exist. They eventually become threats to the entire universe as they spark a giant Cosmic War. Korvac also ties-in with The Guardians of the Galaxy. If we don't end-up getting a Planet Hulk crossover, we could see a giant Cosmic War storyline featuring, The Avengers, Guardians, Korvac and Thanos.

The cosmic threat is almost as equal to the Infinity Gauntlet Saga, and if Thanos had them under his control would be quite the match for the Avengers. Introducing the cosmic villains could also open the door for future cosmic universe projects like Guardians 2, Ms Marvel or even a Nova spin-off.

Juggernaut Was Set For DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, Will He Appear In X-MEN APOCALYPSE Instead?

One of the more interesting elements of Bryan Singer's inclusion of a Vietnam sub-plot in X-Men: Days of Future Past, is the exclusion of Cain Marko (Juggernaut). The X-Men villain along with his younger step-brother Charles Xavier (Cain would bully Charles while growing-up) fought in the Korean War (originally in the comics), which could have been substituted with Vietnam. An easy way in for Marko, and sort of an interesting way to include his origins teasing mutants could be created as well. Sinister and Juggernaut are mutants of sorts, but were originally humans turned-into mutant villains. Even Spider-Man is considered a mutant, even though he wasn't born with his mutated DNA.

Finding an accident jewel during the war, it bestows upon him the Juggernaut powers, as Marko isn't actually a mutant. The jewel could be technology linked to a group of the first mutants, like Apocalypse as he's able to give humans mutant abilities. Sinister being a prime example of that, turning the human doctor into one of the most powerful mutant villains. I understood why Fox made Raven his adopted sister, rather than including Marko as Charles' step-brother. However, it would have been easy to include him as one of the military characters, instead of a less popular character like Toad.


We now have confirmation that indeed Cain was intended to be in the film, but was later replaced with Quicksilver (alluded to by producer/screenwriter Simon Kinberg). Aussie actor Josh Helman (The Pacific) reveals he was originally hired to play Marko in the film (bulking-up for the role), but would later be asked to play a young William Stryker instead. The Juggernaut part was eventually cut, due to overcrowding and was expected to play a part similar to Quicksilver.

“I originally got hired on a different role, which is no longer in the script -- it was going to be young Juggernaut,” Helman explained when IGN visited the set of the film. “So I was like, ‘Oh, s#!t. I’ve got to put on like 30 pounds!’ So I was training for like four weeks, and then I got a phone call saying, ‘Good news and bad news. Bad news first: Juggernaut’s no longer in the script. Good news: They’re having trouble with another role and they want to see you for it.’”

We've already heard from Bryan Singer he wants to add characters like Gambit and Nightcrawler in the sequel. Since he wanted include Nightcrawler, but the film was already overcrowded and we know that Singer has been dying to use Gambit since X2. I expect Juggernaut is another one of those characters as Bryan had the intention to use him in Days of Future Past and even back during the early development of X3 (before he exited the film). I wouldn't doubt if he was included, he'd start-out standing alongside Apocalypse.

Marko entering the cave and finding more than the jewel in the cave, could make for interesting end-credits scene for Days of Future Past. I'm just not sure Singer would have the foresight for something like that though. As he's been making massive deviations to the comic lore already, sticking to his guns is admirable and a bit absurd at times. Making drastic changes to Trask from X3, making Stryker incredibly younger than he was during the same time period in X-Men Origins. Singer could push even further and recreate the origins for a bunch of previously used characters, like Nightcrawler, Gambit and even Juggernaut.


SOURCE: IGN

GOONIES 2 Being Fast-Tracked At WB With Richard Donner And Steven Spielberg Producing

TMZ got a quote from director Richard Donner about "real" plans to make Goonies 2. This has been the main quote Donner has been given for over a decade now. AICN is confirming the statement, and giving a bit more context to. Stating that Donner and Steven Spielberg are indeed producing a new Goonies film at Warner Bros. Adding that, neither will be directing and they are currently fast-tracking the project, with a search for a new writer and director.

The plot points are scarce, but it's said the film will indeed focus on the children of the original cast, with cameos from the original actors. This makes a lot more sense than a group of adults playing Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. I just hope we get a different type of adventure, and it's not rehashing One-Eye Willy and the pirate ship of gold.

If I had to choose a new director it would have to be Garth Jennings. As he's proven a taste for the spectacle like Donner and Spielberg, with the ambitious Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Along with a the ability to shoot a film entirely with child leads in Son of Rambow, something that drove Donner crazy at the time of the Goonies shoot.



I'd also love to see Attack The Block's Joe Cornish in the mix, even though he recently was linked and then unlinked for the Star Trek 3 directing gig. Yet, it sounds like he might be trying to focus on his original material, or could be gearing up for something even bigger.

SOURCE: AICN